In a shocking disclosure, Air Chief Marshal (Retd) Fali Homi Major on Sunday revealed that the Indian Air Force was ready to take revenge of 2008 Mumbai terror attacks but the then United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government ‘blocked’ the surgical strike to teach Pakistan a lesson.
The former IAF chief, in conversation with Times Now’s Srinjoy Chowdhury, revealed the IAF’s surgical strike plan in 2008.
Nine years after the 26/11, the ex-IAF chief dropped a bombshell when he revealed that they had the plan as well as capability to hit the terror-training camps in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in 2008, but the then UPA government never gave a nod.
In the wake of an attack like 26/11, the window of opportunity to strike is 24 hours, said Air Chief Marshal (Retd) Fali Homi Major.
Earlier, Congress said that surgical strikes were conducted thrice during the party-led UPA rule but their government did not make loud claims in the interest of national security.
“We are proud that even in the past our forces have successfully conducted such surgical strikes on numerous occasions, particularly on September 1, 2011, July 28, 2013 and January 14, 2014, giving a befitting reply to the enemy,” said Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala while briefing media persons.
“In its maturity, wisdom and in the interest of national security, Congress Government avoided making loud claims for the effective response and action of Indian Army, which had the full support of political leadership. The matters of national security is not put in public platform all the time,” he added.
Mr Surjewala further said: “Not just Congress government, previous governments too conducted surgical strikes. On the issues of national security there can be no two opinions, despite political differences between Congress and BJP.”
On the question of Pakistan’s denial on surgical strikes, Mr Surjewala said: “There has never been a reason to raise a question or doubt on the statements by DGMO on surgical strike. The government needs to call the Pakistani bluff and false propaganda by using all information, evidence and instruments at their disposal.”
Mr Surjewala further said: “It is time to call the Pakistani bluff and demolish their false and malicious propaganda. So, it settles any doubt being raised in the minds of anyone and they stand exposed not only in our country also before the entire world community.”
